Motion Simulated Infant Seat

ABSTRACT

An infant seat for simulating vehicle movement comprising: a base; an infant seat, where the infant seat is secured within the base; and a means for movement of the base, where the movements simulate the movement of a moving vehicle. The movements replicate a vehicle accelerating, decelerating, braking and occasional bumps that may be similar to a moving vehicle. The movement of the base may be powered by a motor that has various speed options associated with the movement. The infant seat may also include a handle and a visor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an infant seat that simulates themotion of a vehicle through automated movements.

2. Description of Related Art

Infant seats provide a means to seat and secure infants when the infantisn't being held or nurtured by their parents or caregiver. Infant seatscome in many sizes and have various functions associated with them. Someinfant seats have been known to include a rocking motion and perhaps aswinging motion to assist in appeasing an infant that may be seated inthe seat. Further, other infant seats include the ability to transmitaudio sounds such as music or lullabies while the infant is placed inthe seat.

One example of an infant seat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,806which discusses an infant seat rocking device that provides a smoothrocking motion for infant without relying on the infant's own movementor the parent sitting with the child. Another example of an infant seatrocker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,164 which discloses a baseunit for supporting an infant carrier seat where the base provides arocking motion to move the infant seat while the child is placed withinthe infant seat. A weight on the base is moved to shift the seat fromone position to another and to cause the base to rock.

It would be advantageous to have an infant seat that simulates themovement and behavior of a moving vehicle. It's well known that manychildren fall asleep while traveling in a car seat of a moving vehicleand therefore if such a stationary device could be used in the home ordaycare center it would be helpful in lulling the infant to sleep.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infant seat for simulating vehiclemovement comprising: a base; an infant seat, where the infant seat issecured within the base; and a means for movement of the base, where themovements simulate the movement of a moving vehicle. The movementsreplicate a vehicle accelerating, decelerating, braking and occasionalbumps that may be similar to a moving vehicle. The movement of the basemay be powered by a motor that has various speed options associated withthe movement. The infant seat may also include a handle and a visor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a motion simulation seat according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a motion simulation infant seat accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an infant seat that simulates themovement of a moving vehicle to assist in soothing and encouraging thesleep of a child that may be placed in the seat. It is well known thatmany children fall asleep in a moving vehicle. The base for the infantseat according to the present invention helps to simulate the motion ofa moving vehicle along with bumps, rocking and stops and starting of amoving vehicle and therefore induces the sleep of a child.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a vehicle simulation seat according to thepresent invention. The Simulation Seat 100 includes a Base 30. Itprovides the means for the movement of the Infant Seat 43. The InfantSeat 43 is secured within the Base 30 and movements associated with thebase replicate the motions of a moving vehicle. Consequently, themovements may be similar to a vehicle accelerating, decelerating,braking and occasional bumps that may be similar to a moving vehicle.The movement of the base is powered by a motor that has various speedoptions associated with the movement. The motor within the Base 30 maybe powered through either a stored battery or an AC power cord that mayextend from the base for plugging into an AC outlet. Other features ofthe Simulation Seat 100 include the Handle 42 and a Visor 44. The Handle42 extends over the seat and therefore provides a means for a user totransport or move the seat to various positions and also makes the seatportable. A Visor 44 is provided to shield the infant within the seatand protect the infant from any sunlight.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the Simulation Seat 100 according to thepresent invention where Straps 47 are depicted that extend over the Seat43. The Straps 47 help to secure the infant into the seat to prevent theinfant from climbing out of the seat and/or injuring themselves. Furthera perspective view of the Visor 44 is also depicted in FIG. 2. TheSimulation Seat 100 may also include speakers not shown that transmitsound such as music or other simulating sounds to encourage or inducesleep on to the child. The instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what it considers to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madethere from within the scope of the invention and that obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

1. An infant seat for simulating vehicle movement comprising: a. a base;b. an infant seat, where the infant seat is secured within the base; andc. a means for movement of the base, where the movements simulate themovement of a moving vehicle.
 2. The infant seat according to claim 1,where the movements replicate a vehicle accelerating, decelerating,braking and occasional bumps that may be similar to a moving vehicle. 3.The infant seat according to claim 1, where the movement of the base ispowered by a motor that has various speed options associated with themovement.
 4. The infant seat according to claim 3, where the motor is abattery or an AC power source.
 5. The infant seat according to claim 1,further including a handle and a visor.